Margay

The Margay (Leopardus wiedii, or Felis wiedii) is a spotted cat native to Central and South America. It is a solitary nocturnal animal that prefers remote sections of the rainforest. Because of its seclusive nature the Margay population is undetermined; however it is thought to be endangered. It roams the rainforests from Mexico to Argentina.

The margay is very similar to the ocelot. The head is a bit shorter, the tail is longer, and the spotted pattern on the tail is different. Most notably the margay is a much more skilful climber than its relative. Whereas the ocelot mostly pursues prey (including venomous snakes) on the ground, the margay may spend its entire life in the trees, leaping after and chasing birds and monkeys through the treetops. Indeed, it is the only cat with the ankle flexibility necessary to climb head first down trees.

Subspecies

• Leopardus wiedii wiedii, eastern and central Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, northern Argentina
• Leopardus wiedii amazonica, western Brazil, inner parts of Peru, Colombia and Venezuela
• Leopardus wiedii boliviae, Bolivia
• Leopardus wiedii cooperi, northern Mexico
• Leopardus wiedii glaucula, central Mexico
• Leopardus wiedii nicaraguae, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica
• Leopardus wiedii oaxacae, southern Mexico
• Leopardus wiedii pirrensis, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
• Leopardus wiedii salvinia, Chiapas, Guatemala, El Salvador
• Leopardus wiedii yucatanica, Yucatán